The perfect bar for Winter : Le Forvm

2016 UPDATE! Le Forvm is moving because of massive renovations at the building it occupied for so long on the boulevard des Malesherbes. It is moving in February 2016, to 29 rue du Louvre (NICE ADDRESS!). Also, we have heard the the incredibly talented barman from the Hôtel Edouard 7 has been recruted to the new Forum! An even better reason to be excited for their reopening! (Read on to hear baout how it was at the old address. xoxo -Melissa

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It was a cold rainy evening, with slick sidewalks, umbrellas jostling for space and the sky dark by 6pm because of the recent time change. Two girlfriends and I waited like groupies for the doors to open at this hip « huppé » spot next to La Madeleine. (Huppé is French for hyped). It was my first time in this bar, which is said to be one of the oldest in Paris. My girlfriends raved about it, and it seems that every other blogger and their best friend has posted something on it. It figures that I work just down the street from it, and pass by it EVERY day but never really paid much attention as it has a very discreet store front. So me of course, doing things at my own leisurely pace, am a little en retard, but that doesn’t make this place ANY less wonderful! It’s a Mad Men type of low-key-makes-you-want-to-drink-whiskey kind of place.

But honestly, Le Forvm had me at it’s door. I felt like I was stepping back in time…

The wood is dark, the seats are cozy, the bar is sleek, smooth and shiny, brass accents are scattered all over this leather and wood decorated place, juke boxes sit gloriously in one corner, and the bar back shines seductively from another. The lighting is low, the conversation even lower, the menu of cocktails is both classic and inventive, and it is a friendly yet luxurious place. Drinks are served with subdued style and a smile.

I love the taste of gin, so I went with the « So Much Thyme » cocktail…twice. It was so much delicious!Cocktails are generally around 16-20€, so not cheap (drink slowly). But it is nice to go there and enjoy the ambiance, the talented mixing of flavors and the cozy comfort that oozes out of ever corner of this place… Perfect for chilly winter evenings.